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NZ Police/Supplied
Police are searching for Michael Namana after he did not return from a walk in Mount Holdsworth, Wairarapa.
Police have stopped actively searching for a missing tramper in Wairarapa.
Michael Namana was last seen wearing shorts and a hoodie at Rocky Lookout at midday on Monday, July 31 – about an hour’s walk from the Tararua Forest Park entrance at the Holdsworth carpark.
Police said on Monday the search had continued around the high point above Sayer Hut after an extensive search near Holdsworth Lodge and Donnellys’ Flat and the Atiwhakatu Stream on the weekend.
Pete Cunningham of Police Search and Rescue said early on in the operation, searchers found a pair of socks below Sayer Hut, which may have belonged to Namana.
“It’s a clue we’re looking at seriously.”
However, a statement from police on Wednesday said Monday was the final day of tasked searching, and did not yield any further helpful information.
It said officers were now “working to complete other enquiries”.
“It’s expected that a cadaver dog search will take place in 1-2 weeks’ time, and with these at our disposal we believe there is a solid chance of finding Michael.
“Police are keeping Michael’s family across all developments, and our combined goal is to bring Michael back to his family.”
Piers Fuller/The Post
Missing man Michael Namana’s father Eddie Namana said the family was starting to feel lost.
His father, Eddie Namana, previously said they didn’t believe his son could have left the park knowing everyone would be searching for him.
“We’re not even thinking that. It’s not in his character to walk out somewhere and carry on with his life.”
He said his son had been focusing on living a more healthy lifestyle in the weeks before he went in the Tararuas and, although he had not done much tramping, he was often going for morning walks before work.
Namana said after a week of a huge effort by family and friends to try and find their son, everyone was starting to feel “lost”.
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